Professional PLL
06:00 PM
Jul 19
Phi
Den
Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The PLL hit Columbus for the first round of its inaugural playoffs.
The first team to punch its ticket to the PLL Championship? Whipsnakes clicked on all cylinders on Saturday night, blowing out Chaos 15-7 in the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. Matt Rambo was stellar again to allow the Whipsnakes to move onto the Sept. 21 final in his hometown of Philadelphia.
PUT RAMBO ON THE LOGO @thecreasedive pic.twitter.com/bpuDah4G1K
— Joe Keegan (@joekeegs) September 7, 2019
As for Chaos, it will battle Redwoods this weekend in New York for the other spot in the final.
Who’s taking the Championship home? pic.twitter.com/Pzt8eQgCaG
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 8, 2019
So how did Redwoods advance? Greg Gurenlian activated Beast Mode en route to another strong game at the faceoff x, allowing the Woods to take down Archers 16-12 in the No. 3 vs. No. 4 matchup.
As for the Draft Winner bracket, Atlas took down Chrome and will face the winner of Chrome and Archers for the top pick.
Atlas moves on to Philadelphia and will play the winner of Chrome vs Archers for the #1 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/YUkRgswmEt
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 8, 2019
Got all that?
2. A scary moment on Friday in Columbus took the attention away from the game.
Jackson Place, the Archers defenseman, collapsed on the field late in the loss to Redwoods after a collision with Eddy Glazener. He was stretchered off the field and rushed to the hospital.
Thoughts were sent Place’s way throughout the weekend. He provided an update on his Instagram on Saturday afternoon.
An update from Jackson Place.
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 7, 2019
We’re all here for you pic.twitter.com/JcFTWegVFW
3. The MLL playoff teams are set, and the Atlanta Blaze finds itself in the field for the first time.
The Blaze picked up the historic 15-14 win over the Dallas Rattlers on Saturday, helping clinch the first playoff berth in franchise history.
PLAYOFF BOUND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY!!! pic.twitter.com/ssXF2gngpL
— Atlanta Blaze (@AtlantaBlaze) September 8, 2019
Joining the Blaze are the top-ranked Denver Outlaws, the Chesapeake Bayhawks and the Boston Cannons.
The Outlaws took down the Lizards 15-12 to clinch a playoff berth and Boston got past Chesapeake 12-11 on Saturday, forcing a three-way tie with the Blaze and Bayhawks at 8-6.
The race to clinch seeds continue with two more weekends before the playoffs begin Oct. 4.
4. The U.S. U19 team conquered the world this summer, dominating opponents en route to the gold medal.
Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller played the role of zen master and coach, helping mold the team that lit up the scoreboard in Peterborough.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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The Peterborough Lakers forced overtime and tied the Mann Cup series 1-1 with the Victoria Shamrocks. Game 3 is tonight at 10 p.m. ET.
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The MLL announced the finalists for its six year-end awards. Check out the list here.
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Jack Goods provides his picks for the PLL’s year-end awards.
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Wheelchair Lacrosse is helping give disabled athletes another outlet, and chance to learn a new sport in Buffalo and throughout New York.
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A breakdown of a busy weekend in PLL action, courtesy of Joe Keegan.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Chaos are still very alive in the PLL playoff race. Coach Andy Towers certainly let his team know that. What a speech.
We're not giving up. Not even close. pic.twitter.com/UIfVONNxic
— Chaos Lacrosse Club (@PLLChaos) September 8, 2019
Bryce Wassermann had a wedding this weekend, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t fulfill the responsibilities of being a MLL pro. He got first-class transportation.
When you are in a wedding that ends at 6 and have to start your game at 7 @RattlersLax @MLL_Lacrosse @tgeldrid pic.twitter.com/HO7rzROnlU
— Jay Wasserman (@thewass9) September 7, 2019
WHAT’S ON TAP
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More on a wild weekend in both the MLL and NLL